“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;”>Indulge my sports analogy please.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>In hockey when there’s a contested situation, the referee calls for a “face-off.” The winner of said face off puts his team momentarily in a position to control what happens next. It struck me that some of us in critical moments of faith adopt the face off position. We take an antagonistic approach to what’s in front of us.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The bible often refers to Israel time and time again as being “stiff necked.” You know what I’m talking about; when you’ve made up your mind that you’re going to do something, knowing it’s wrong, but due to pride (disguised as principle), you’re going to do it anyway, come hell or high water. Have you ever heard someone justify bad behavior because they claimed to be ready for whatever consequences would come their way?
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Are you ready to face off with God? I ask the question because like it or not, it’s coming.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The struggle to give up control and submit to the will of God can be intense and extremely uncomfortable. Like anyone who has developed bad habits or has an addiction, it is more than a notion to stop and even more of an effort to create new behaviors and new good habits, if you will.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Once you start seeking the Lord, my personal experience says He’s pretty easy to find. Once found, however, be prepared for the only way to face off with Him. Stiff necked or not, this is not an eyeball to eyeball event like hockey. Some of you remember the play, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God!
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>I just don’t want you to go to this face off thing thinking you’re going toe to toe with the Almighty. That posture might work with Satan, but in this case a slightly more humble position is definitely required. I’m thinking eyes closed, face down, praying you don’t get a whipping like you used to when Mom or Dad was really mad.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Matthew 5:33: “But first seek His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be given to you.” It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But ask anyone who has found their way to God, including me, how it actually happened and most will tell you that they finally admitted in a faceoff with themselves that they needed divine help. In that moment of clarity, sobriety, desperation, God knew the plea was real; the faceoff an authentic effort to pray.
“font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Let me tell you one thing. Authentic prayer gets God’s attention every time. It lets Him know, you know you cannot do it on your own, but He can.
